A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something; a lengthy and harsh criticism delivered with strong emotion and hostility.
From Greek 'diatribe,' meaning 'a wearing away' or 'a discourse' (dia- 'through' + tribein 'to rub' or 'to wear away'). Originally referred to philosophical discourse, but evolved to mean speech that 'wears away' at its target through sustained attack.
Think of 'dia-' (through) + 'tribe' (sounds like 'tribein' = to rub) - a diatribe 'rubs through' someone's reputation by attacking them harshly! It's like verbal sandpaper that wears away at the target.
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